Citrus rootstock named ‘UFR-1’

ABSTRACT

‘UFR-1’ is a new and distinct allotetraploid citrus rootstock for tree size control and improved disease resistance. ‘UFR-1’ has shown a positive reaction to the Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted on this rootstock show a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrus reticulata/Citrus paradisi+Citrus grandis×Citrus reticulata+Poncirus trifoliata.

Variety denomination: ‘UFR-1’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of citrus rootstock named ‘UFR-1’. The Plant Improvement Team in Lake Alfred, Fla. has pioneered the development and testing of allotetraploid citrus rootstocks. ‘UFR-1’ (identified as Orange #3 in field trials) is an allotetraploid zygotic hybrid derived from a conventional cross of two somatic hybrids previously produced by protoplast fusion. The somatic hybrid seed parent is ‘Nova’ mandarin hybrid+‘Hirado Buntan’ pummelo (zygotic seedling), and the somatic hybrid pollen parent is ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin+‘Argentine’ trifoliate orange.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘UFR-1’ was selected as a potential citrus rootstock on the basis of its positive reaction to Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted onto ‘UFR-1’ showed a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected when compared to other commercial diploid rootstocks. Although scion trees grafted onto ‘UFR-1’ grow off quickly, the trees remain small in size, making ‘UFR-1’ suitable for use in Advanced Citrus Production Systems that feature high density plantings. ‘UFR-1’ produces adequate nuclear seed, making it amenable to standard nursery propagation practices for uniform liner production. ‘UFR-1’ exhibited salinity tolerance in a greenhouse study (Grosser et al., 2012), and tolerance of the Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex in a separate greenhouse study (Grosser et al., 2003). Long-term performance of trees on this rootstock selection is unknown. Yield and fruit quality data is limited, but 3 years of data from young trees (the St. Helena project, see Table 1) indicates good productivity and fruit quality. Tolerance to citrus blight is also unknown, but under investigation. True-to-typeness through asexual reproduction was demonstrated by topworking ‘UFR-1’ onto a ‘Carrizo’ citrange rootstock in Lake Alfred, Fla. Seed from this topworked tree and from the original tree are predominantly of nucellar origin, producing true-to-type seedlings.

TABLE 1 Rootstock Data from 5-year old trees in the St. Helena trial - Dundee, FL. Lbs Solids/Box Scion Type Rootstock 2012 2013 VALQUARIUS Som. Hyb. ‘UFR-6’ 5.64 5.43 VERNIA Som. Hyb. ‘UFR-6’ 5.67 6.01 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-1’ 5.5 4.87 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-1’ 5.61 6.28 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-2’ 5.47 5.93 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-2’ 4.57 5.37 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-3’ 4.84 5.05 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-3’ 5.46 5.82 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-4’ 5.79 6.07 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-4’ 4.65 5.07 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-5’ 5.76 5.72 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-5’ 5.89 5.34 VALQUARIUS Diploid FG 1731 5.83 6.81 VALQUARIUS Diploid FG 1733 5.12 5.63 VERNIA Diploid SWINGLE* 5.11 5.79 VALQUARIUS Diploid SWINGLE* NS 5.61 VERNIA Diploid CLEO* 4.79 5.51 VALQUARIUS Diploid CLEO* NS 5.21 VERNIA Diploid R. LEMON* 3.67 na VALQUARIUS Diploid VOLK* NS 4.12 VERNIA Diploid VOLK* 3.6 4.73 VALQUARIUS Diploid KUHARSKE* NS 5.75 VERNIA Diploid KUHARSKE* 4.34 5.83 Yield Boxes/Tree Cumulative 2011 2012 2013 Yield Scion (35 mo.) (47 mo.) (59 mo.) (Boxes) VALQUARIUS 0.5 0.78 1.94 3.22 VERNIA 0.4 0.63 1.41 2.44 VALQUARIUS NS 0.72 2.23 2.95 VERNIA 0.31 0.67 1.33 2.31 VERNIA 0.35 0.25 1.38 1.98 VALQUARIUS NS 0.75 1.73 2.48 VALQUARIUS NS 0.81 1.97 2.78 VERNIA 0.37 0.38 1.82 2.57 VERNIA 0.54 0.71 1.73 2.98 VALQUARIUS NS 0.65 1.59 2.64 VALQUARIUS 0.33 0.56 1.80 2.69 VERNIA 0.42 0.25 1.93 2.60 VALQUARIUS NS 0.68 2.20 2.88 VALQUARIUS NS 0.67 2.77 3.44 VERNIA 0.33 0.85 1.08 2.26 VALQUARIUS NS NS 1.50 1.50 VERNIA NS 0.50 0.83 1.33 VALQUARIUS NS NS 1.7 1.7 VERNIA NS 0.78 na 0.78 VALQUARIUS NS NS 2.58 2.58 VERNIA 0.4 1.13 0.83 2.36 VALQUARIUS NS NS 2.2 2.2 VERNIA 0.15 0.75 1.08 1.98 NS - not significant fruit; na - data not available; * - control commercial rootstock One box contains approximately 90 lbs. fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘UFR-1’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage, and fruit.

The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

The photographs are of a tree approximately 10 years old. All figures were taken in the fall of 2013.

FIG. 1.—Shows a close-up of the nearly mature fruits with the rind and cross-sectional view of the fruit when cut in the center.

FIG. 2.—Shows the overall mature plant growth habit.

FIG. 3.—Shows a close-up of the mature growth habit.

FIG. 4.—Shows leaves and nearly mature fruits.

FIG. 5.—Shows a close-up of nearly mature fruits.

FIG. 6.—Shows a close-up of seeds from nearly mature fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UFR-1’. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

Phenotypic Description of Citrus reticulata/Citrus paradisi+Citrus grandis×Citrus reticulata+Poncirus trifoliata ‘UFR-1’

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Complex allotetraploid hybrid rootstock             (‘Clementine’ mandarin×‘Orlando’ tangelo) [Citrus             reticulata×Citrus paradisi)+Citrus grandis]×[Citrus             reticulata+Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange)].         -   Common name.—Complex allotetraploid hybrid rootstock. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘Nova’ mandarin+‘Hirado Buntan’ pummelo             (zygotic seedling) somatic hybrid (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘Cleopatra’ mandarin+‘Argentine’ trifoliate             orange; somatic hybrid (unpatented). -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Tetraploid.         -   Size.—Medium-large.         -   Height.—3.65 meters.         -   Tree spread.—4.2 to 4.3 meters.         -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Density.—Canopies are moderately dense.         -   Form.—The tree is obloid-shaped with lateral and upright             branches growing toward low to medium angles. Branches with             fruit exhibit drooping.         -   Growth habit.—Both upright and lateral growth with a low to             medium angle. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—19.5 cm in diameter at 30 cm above the             ground on a 10-year-old tree.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 197A (greyed-green); irregularly             striated with RHS N189A (green). -   Branches:     -   -   Crotch angle.—First crotch forms 30- to 35-degree angle,             middle crotch forms a 45-degree angle.         -   Branch length.—Branch reaches 2.7 meters from the first             crotch to the tip of the branch.         -   Branch texture.—Relatively rough with small thorns or             spines.         -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened and 4 to             5 mm in diameter).—RHS N137A (green). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 93.2 mm. Width: 51 mm. L/W             ratio: 1.8.         -   Thickness.—Thicker than average diploid citrus rootstock             hybrids.         -   Type.—Mostly simple leaf types, occasionally with bifoliate             and trifoliate types of leaves appearing within the same             tree.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Retuse.         -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire and slightly undulate.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous. Lower surface: Medium             veins that are pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS N137A (green). Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS N137D (green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);             junction between petiole and lamina is articulate. Width             (petiole wing): Narrow. Shape (petiole wing): Obovate.             Length: 14.4 to 18 mm. Width: 4.5 to 4.7 mm. Color: RHS             N137A (green). -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.         -   Bearing.—Flowers grow from leaf axillaries and leaf             terminals singly and in small clusters; most single flowers             grow from leaf axillaries. Each flower branch consists of             4-10 flowers.         -   Flower diameter.—Fully open flower has an average diameter             of 40.5 to 41 mm.         -   Flower depth.—Typical flower has an average depth of 21.5             mm.         -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom observed Mar. 8, 2014.             Full bloom observed Mar. 15, 2014.         -   Flower bud.—Shape: Initial visible flower bud has a round             ball shape; mature flower bud has an elongated olive shape.             Initial visible flower bud size: Length: 3.2 mm in length.             Diameter: 3.3 mm in diameter. Mature flower bud size:             Length: 17.6 mm in length. Diameter: 10.5 mm in diameter.             Color: RHS 144D (yellow-green) for initial visible flower             bud; RHS NN155C (white) for mature flower bud, with RHS 150D             (yellow-green) spots distributed at the tip of the flower             bud.         -   Flower petals.—Shape: Flat, spatula-shaped. Apex shape:             Smooth, acute-shaped. Base shape: Even obtuse. Length: 20 to             24 mm. Width: 10 to 10.5 mm. Thickness: 0.8 to 0.9 mm.             Texture: Medium soft, smooth. Margin: Smooth. Color: Upper             surface RHS NN155C (white); lower surface RHS NN155C             (white), with RHS 150D (yellow-green) spots distributed             toward to the petal apex.         -   Flower sepal.—Number: 5 per flower. Shape: Delta-shaped with             an acute angle at the apex. Length: 4.6 mm. Width: 3.9 mm.             Apex shape: Triangle-shaped. Margin: Smooth. Color: Upper             surface RHS 154C (yellow-green); lower surface RHS 144D             (yellow-green).         -   Fragrance.—Fragrant/Moderately fragrant.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length: 4.8 to 5.0 mm. Diameter: 1.4 to             1.5 mm. Color: RHS 144D (yellow-green).         -   Reproductive organs.—Fertility: Appears self-fertile. Pollen             amount: Abundant/Moderate amount. Pollen color (general):             Bright-yellow. Ovary shape: Oval-shaped. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Height.—50 to 55.8 mm on average.         -   Width.—66 to 75 mm on average.         -   Average weight (per individual fruit).—138 grams.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Shape (cross-section).—Round.         -   Apex.—Truncated with slight dent.         -   Apex cavity diameter.—5.2 mm.         -   Base cavity diameter.—5.8 to 7.5 mm.         -   Base.—No neck.         -   Harvesting.—Fruit can be harvested from October through             December in Florida.         -   Fruit stem (short stem connecting the fruit).—Length:             8.1 mm. Diameter: 4.9 mm. Color: RHS 143B (green) with RHS             195B (grey-green) strip. -   Rind:     -   -   Adherence.—Adherence between albedo (mesocarp) and flesh             (endocarp) is medium. The adherence is evenly distributed             from base to apex.         -   Thickness.—3.4 to 4.8 mm on average.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): Ranges between RHS 151B             (yellow-green) to RHS 151A (yellow-green). Albedo             (mesocarp): RHS 157D (green-white).         -   Stylar end.—Closed.         -   Rind oil cell density.—62 oil cells/square cm. -   Flesh:     -   -   Number of segments.—Between 7 and 8 segments per fruit on             average.         -   Segment walls.—Firm with sufficient strength to maintain             integrity as separated.         -   Juice.—Abundant.         -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 11C (yellow).         -   Texture.—Soft.         -   Vesicles.—Length: Arranged from 13 to 15.6 mm on average.             Diameter (thickness): 2.3 to 3.3 mm on average.         -   Eating quality.—N/A.         -   Juice index.—         -   Soluble solids (average).—9 Brix. -   Seeds:     -   -   Type.—Polyembryonic.         -   Number.—Ranges from 4 to 16. Most fruit contains less than             10 seeds.         -   Shape.—Seed shapes are not uniform. Normal seeds are mostly             ventricose/swollen-shaped and clavate club shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 14.5 to 16.4 mm. Width: 5.9 to 6.9 mm.         -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS 155A (white) and             wrinkled. Inner surface: RHS 164C (greyed-orange). Cotyledon             color: RHS 145D (yellow-green). -   Resistance to disease: ‘UFR-1’ rootstock was selected on the basis     of its positive reaction to HLB disease (huanglongbing or citrus     greening disease) in multiple field trials. Trees on this rootstock     show a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms     once infected, as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct citrus rootstock cultivar as illustrated and described herein. 